On April 30, 2018, the President issued two new Proclamations regarding the 232 tariffs imposed on imports of steel and aluminum articles into the United States. The new Proclamations modify the previous steel and aluminum Proclamations with respect to imports from Canada, Mexico, the European Union, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Korea.
Presidential Proclamation Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States
Canada, Mexico and the European Union
The President announced that the United States is continuing discussion with Canada, Mexico and the European Union on alternative means to address the impairment to national security posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles. As a result, the President extended the 232 tariff exemptions previously granted to imports of steel and aluminum articles from these countries until June 1, 2018. This extension has been characterized as a “final” extension in the hopes that an agreement can be reached and that the outcomes will impose quotas that will ultimately restrain imports.
Argentina, Australia, and Brazil
The President announced that the United States had reached an agreement in principle with Argentina, Australia, and Brazil on alternative means to address the impairment to national security posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles. Imports from these countries will remain exempt from the steel and aluminum tariffs while the details of the agreements are finalized. There is no expiration date for the exemption granted to these countries, but the President will consider re-imposing the tariffs if a final agreement is not reached.
South Korea
The President announced that an agreement had been reached with South Korea and that imports of steel articles from South Korea are exempt from the tariffs. However, imports of steel articles from South Korea will be subject to a quota. Information on the quota limits can be found here.
Imports of aluminum articles from South Korea remain subject to the 232 tariffs.
Drawback
The Proclamation also provides that drawback will not be available with respect to the 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum articles.
